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Wednesday Excerpts – time travel romance

He glanced toward the car in the driveway. A shabby old compact much like what Jack drove. But maybe grandma had left him a pile of cash along with the house, so he could afford renovations. All Jack could do was hope.

Bradley shook his head. “I want to sell and get out now. My band has a gig on the west coast next month and I need cash to live on. You know how it is.”

The young man caught Jack’s gaze. He knew exactly how it was in this economy to make ends meet, but to let this house go for near nothing galled him.

“You know, it’ll take time to sell this, even as a handyman special.”

“I don’t plan to sell it, man.” Bradley turned toward the open window. “I’m selling the land. Already have a potential buyer. They plan to demolish this place and build three new homes.”

Jack’s blood chilled. “It’s going to be demolished?”

“Grandma left me enough cash and I made more selling a lot of her stuff. The place is cleaned out and ready for the demo team. The new owner already has it set up.”

“It’s already sold?” Jack’s heart sank. This trip had obviously been for nothing. The kid had already decided the grand old home’s fate.

“Settlement’s next week. Once I get my money, I don’t give a shit what happens to it. I’ll be living on the west coast.”

“I see.” Jack swallowed. “Would you mind if I had a last look around? I put in a lot of work planning the renovation.”

Bradley shrugged. “Sure, dude. Take your time.” He waved Jack through the door.

His footsteps echoed on the empty wood floors of the foyer and living room. When he’d been here last, the place had been furnished with a room sized wool rug and antique furniture befitting the surroundings. Lamps on end tables glowed softly as he and Mrs. Grayson looked over his drawings and ideas for the house.

Now, it was empty. Everything had been stripped, including the glass chandelier from the dining area. He glanced along the empty wall toward the staircase. A silver frame caught his attention. He strode toward the bottom step. The woman’s wide eyes seemed fixed on him, her full lips slightly parted.

Jack turned back toward Bradley, who stood behind him. A frown creased the young man’s forehead. “Must have missed this one.”

Jack glanced up the staircase. All of the other photographs were gone. The only evidence they’d been here, rectangles of lighter color along the peeling striped wallpaper. He turned back to the photo, transfixed by the image.

“What do you plan to do with it?” Jack asked.

Bradley shrugged. “What I did with all the others. I sold the frames for scrap and threw the pictures away.”

“Threw them away?” Jack’s blood heated. “Don’t you have any family who would want them?”

Bradley shook his head. “My folks died two years ago in a car accident. I live with my uncle—my mother’s brother—and he doesn’t want all this junk.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your parents. You’re an only child, I take it.”

The young man nodded.

Jack glanced at the photo again. Although likely only his imagination, the young woman’s gaze seemed to follow him. Almost as if she begged him to take the photo.

“Would it be all right it I took this?” Jack glanced at Bradley. A slight scowl crossed his face. “You can keep the frame,” Jack hastily added.

Bradley’s scowl changed into a smile. “Deal, dude.”

Jack opened the back of the frame, carefully extracted the old photo, and handed the frame to Bradley. “Are you sure you won’t change your mind before settlement? With renovations you’d get a good price for it.”

The young man’s scowl returned. “My uncle just wants me out of his house as soon as possible. Seems the land is worth more than the house.” He glanced toward the living area. “And he wants the settlement to go through before I go.”

Jack sighed, wishing again he could buy the property before settlement took place next week. He was sure he’d never convince the new owners to renovate when they were bent on building new homes.

He tucked the photo into his jacket to protect it, then offered his hand to Bradley. “Sorry to disturb you then. Good luck with your gig on the coast.”

Bradley broke into a wide smile. “Thanks, dude. Sorry you came out for nothing.” He escorted Jack onto the porch.

“Oh, no,” Jack said, patting the photo to be sure it was secure. “I didn’t come for nothing.”

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Victorian Romance

About the Author

Susan Macatee writes American Civil War romance, some with a paranormal twist. From time travels to vampire tales, her stories are always full of love and adventure.

She’s spent many years as a Civil War civilian reenactor with the 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment. She's a wife, mother of three grown sons, and has recently become a grandmother. She spends her free time inhaling books, watching baseball games and favorite old movies.